What Is The MiG-17 Fresco?
The MiG-17 Fresco. Subsonic swept-wing fighter that proved surprisingly lethal in close-quarters dogfights against faster jets.
Russia
Origin
Fighter
Role
1,145 km/h
Top speed
16,600 m
Service ceiling
MiG-17 Fresco Specifications
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 Fresco was an improved swept-wing evolution of the MiG-15 jet interceptor. Driven by an afterburning VK-1F engine reaching 711 mph, its high manoeuvrability, heavy cannon armaments, and 54,500 ft ceiling was lethal during close-range dogfights in Vietnam.
Performance
Top speed
711 mph (1,145 km/h)
Service ceiling
54,500 ft (16,600 m)
Combat radius
280 nmi (520 km)
Rate of climb
12,800 ft/min (65 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
1
Length
37 ft 3 in (11.36 m)
Wingspan
31 ft 7 in (9.63 m)
Empty weight
8,664 lbs (3,930 kg)
Engine
1x Klimov VK-1F turbojet with afterburner
Service
First flight
14 January 1950
Unit cost
$150,000 (Historical)
Operators
Soviet Union, China, Vietnam, North Korea (Historic)
What Weapons Does The MiG-17 Fresco Carry?
The MiG-17 Fresco had a heavy nose cannon pack consisting of one 37mm N-37D cannon and two 23mm NR-23 cannons, delivering devastating firepower against enemy tactical bombers and ground targets.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
Nudelman N-37
Category
37 mm Cannon
Loadout
1 internal cannon (40 rounds)
Range
1,000 metres (effective)
Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23
Category
23 mm Cannon
Loadout
2 internal cannon (80 rounds each)
Range
1,000 metres (effective)
K-13 (AA-2 Atoll)
Category
Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 2 missiles (PFU variant)
Range
8 km (5 miles)
UB-16 Rocket Pod
Category
57 mm Unguided Rockets
Loadout
Up to 2 pods
Range
2 km (1.2 miles)
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The MiG-17 Fresco?
The MiG-17 reaches Mach 0.93, around 711 mph, and could exceed Mach 1 in a dive. Its redesigned wing cured the directional instability that limited the MiG-15 at high speed. What made it formidable over Vietnam was not speed but turn rate: it could out-turn every American aircraft it faced, forcing US pilots to avoid close-in engagements entirely.
How Was The MiG-17 Fresco Developed?
Mikoyan-Gurevich began work in 1949 to fix the MiG-15's high-speed handling problems, fitting a thinner wing with greater sweep and a longer fuselage. The prototype flew on 14 January 1950. Production exceeded 10,000 airframes including Chinese licence-built J-5 examples.
Has The MiG-17 Fresco Seen Combat?
North Vietnamese MiG-17s inflicted significant losses on American aircraft, exploiting their turn advantage against faster but less agile F-105s and F-4s. The type also fought in the Middle East with Egypt and Syria, in Nigeria, and in numerous smaller conflicts through the 1970s and 1980s.
Who Operates The MiG-17 Fresco?
More than twenty air forces flew the MiG-17, and Chinese J-5 derivatives served for decades. A small number of airworthy examples remain in civilian hands, mostly in the United States.
MiG-17 Fresco FAQs
Common questions about the MiG-17 Fresco, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the MiG-17 Fresco as a civilian?
No, the MiG-17 Fresco is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the MiG-17 Fresco?
No, you cannot take the controls of the MiG-17 Fresco, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the MiG-17 Fresco cost?
The MiG-17 Fresco is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Are there weight limits on a jet flight instead of the MiG-17 Fresco?
The MiG-17 Fresco is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the MiG-17 Fresco?
The MiG-17 Fresco is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the MiG-17 Fresco?
The MiG-17 Fresco is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
Explore the database
